NK
NK Co., Ltd. is a South Korean Busan-based industrial manufacturer producing ballast water treatment systems, marine firefighting equipment, high-pressure gas cylinders, cryogenic gas systems, and hydrogen refueling infrastructure for shipyards, shipping companies, industrial gas firms, and government clients.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1984
- HeadquartersBusan, South Korea
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What NK does
NK Co., Ltd. (주식회사 엔케이) is a South Korean industrial manufacturer founded in 1984 (firmographic data indicates 1980) and headquartered in Busan, with operations spanning marine equipment, environmental systems, high-pressure gas containment, and emerging hydrogen infrastructure. The company designs and builds ballast water treatment systems (NK-O3 BlueBallast, IMO Type Approved), marine fire suppression systems (foam, CO2, dry powder, water mist), cryogenic gas storage and transport equipment (NK CRYOPac), high-pressure gas cylinders (1.7-470 liter range at 150-300 bar) for gases including CO2, O2, N2, H2, He, and Ar, jumbo tube trailers for hydrogen/helium/nitrogen transport, LNG fuel tanks, aluminum helideck systems for offshore platforms, and nitrogen generation systems. Technology is rooted in pressure vessel engineering, ozone-based water treatment chemistry, and cryogenic handling, with active R&D focused on hydrogen mobility infrastructure.
NK generates revenue primarily through direct sales of manufactured hardware to shipyards, shipping companies, and industrial gas customers, supplemented by aftermarket reinspection and maintenance services for gas cylinders and installed equipment, and project-based contracts awarded through competitive bidding (e.g., the 2026 Korea Gas Technology Corporation hydrogen tram refueling station). Pricing is project-specific and not publicly disclosed. The company has spun off focused operating subsidiaries including NK BMS (ballast water treatment), NKTECH (hydrogen mobility), NK CRYOPac (cryogenic systems), THE SAFETY (safety equipment), and ENK (environmental technology). Customers span Korean and global shipbuilders, the industrial gas and chemical sectors, semiconductor manufacturers requiring high-purity gas storage, CNG vehicle programs, and government/municipal entities, with revenue exposure concentrated in maritime environmental compliance, safety, and the build-out of hydrogen and clean-energy infrastructure.
NK firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NK
- Legal name
- 주식회사 엔케이 (NK Co., Ltd.)
- Website
- https://nkcf.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1984
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- NK Co., Ltd. is a South Korean Busan-based industrial manufacturer producing ballast water treatment systems, marine firefighting equipment, high-pressure gas cylinders, cryogenic gas systems, and hydrogen refueling infrastructure for shipyards, shipping companies, industrial gas firms, and government clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NK industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Equipment Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (33331), Transportation Equipment Manufacturing (336)
- SIC
- Misc Industrial & Commercial Machinery & Equipment (3590)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting) (IMAJAIAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Ventilation, Ducting & Air Distribution Equipment (IMAHAKAG)
Keywords
Where NK is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Busan
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
NK business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Direct sales of manufactured products including high-pressure gas cylinders, marine firefighting systems, ballast water treatment systems, and pressure vessels to shipyards and maritime industry customers.
- Aftermarket Services: Reinspection services for gas cylinders and containers, technical support, and maintenance services for installed equipment.
- Project-based Contracts: Large infrastructure projects such as hydrogen refueling stations awarded through competitive bidding from major clients like Korea Gas Technology Corporation.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
NK product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NK Co., Ltd. manufactures and sells industrial equipment for the marine, environment, and energy sectors, including ballast water treatment systems, marine fire extinguishing systems, high-pressure gas cylinders, jumbo tube trailers, LNG fuel tanks, cryogenic gas storage systems (NK CRYOPac), offshore plant equipment, and hydrogen refueling infrastructure. The company serves shipbuilders, shipping companies, industrial gas firms, semiconductor manufacturers, and government-led clean-energy transportation projects, with project-based contracts and aftermarket reinspection services as additional offerings.
Product overview
NK (주)엔케이 is an industrial manufacturing company operating across marine, environment, and energy sectors. The company offers a diversified portfolio of products including marine fire safety systems (extinguishing systems, foam systems, CO2 systems, dry powder, water mist), ballast water treatment systems (NK-O3 BlueBallast), cryogenic gas systems (NK CRYOPac), high-pressure gas cylinders and jumbo tube trailers for industrial gas storage and transport, LNG fuel tanks, offshore plant equipment, and hydrogen infrastructure. The company serves maritime, petrochemical, semiconductor, energy, and defense industries through its environment, heavy-industry, plant, and container business divisions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NK-O3 BlueBallast: Ballast water treatment system approved by IMO for ships to prevent invasive species transfer
- NK CRYOPac
- NK BMS
- NK SHIPTECH
Products and services
- NK-O3 BlueBallast System Ballast water treatment system for marine vessels that uses NK-O3 technology to treat and manage ballast water in compliance with IMO regulations, preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species across marine environments.
- Marine Extinguishing System Fire fighting and suppression equipment for marine vessels and offshore platforms providing comprehensive maritime fire safety solutions.
- NK CRYOPac Cryogenic Gas Storage and Transport System
- High-Pressure Gas Cylinders
- Jumbo Tube Trailers
- LNG Fuel Tank
- Offshore Plant Equipment
- Heavy-Industry Equipment Solutions
- Hydrogen Tram Refueling Station Liquid hydrogen refueling station infrastructure built by NK Tech (subsidiary of NK Co., Ltd.) for zero-emission public transportation networks, with capacity exceeding 300kg of hydrogen per hour.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ballast water treatment systems with IMO Type Approval
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use NK
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
NK technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
NK partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- Korea Gas Technology CorporationcoreNK Tech (subsidiary of NK Co., Ltd.) was selected by Korea Gas Technology Corporation to build South Korea's first hydrogen tram refueling station in Daejeon. The facility will deliver hydrogen supply capacity exceeding 300kg per hour for the city's zero-emission public transportation network.
- SUEZstrategicENK (subsidiary of NK) signed MOU with SUEZ for potential collaboration in maritime and environmental technology areas.
- Korea Gas CorporationstrategicNK partnered with Korea Gas Corporation and Kolon Industries for joint venture discussions with Uzbekistan state gas company for CNG fuel cylinder manufacturing in Uzbekistan.
- Kolon IndustriesstrategicPartnership with Kolon Industries alongside Korea Gas Corporation for CNG fuel cylinder manufacturing joint venture in Uzbekistan.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
NK competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ecochlor: US-based BWMS provider with IMO Type Approval serving the global commercial fleet. Direct competitor to NK in ballast water treatment for shipowners and shipyards.
- Optimarin: Norwegian specialist in ballast water treatment systems with IMO Type Approval. Competes head-to-head with NK-O3 BlueBallast in the global BWMS retrofit and newbuild market.
- Alfa Laval: Global marine environmental equipment leader with ballast water treatment systems, heat exchangers, and fluid handling equipment. Directly competes with NK in BWMS and marine safety equipment for shipyards and shipowners.
- Wärtsilä: Marine systems integrator offering BWMS, gas systems, and ship environmental solutions. Comparable to NK in serving global shipyards with marine environmental and safety equipment, though at much larger scale.
- DESMI: Danish marine pumps and environmental equipment manufacturer with a strong ballast water treatment portfolio. Directly comparable to NK's BWMS business and serves similar shipyard and shipowner customers.
Broad incumbents
- Hyundai Heavy Industries: Largest Korean shipbuilder and major customer of NK's marine equipment. While primarily a shipbuilder rather than equipment specialist, it represents both a key customer and a vertical integration risk for suppliers like NK.
- Chart Industries: Global leader in cryogenic equipment and hydrogen infrastructure. Comparable to NK CRYOPac in cryogenic gas storage and increasingly competes with NKTECH in hydrogen mobility infrastructure.
- Samsung Heavy Industries: Major Korean shipbuilder and offshore platform constructor. Key NK customer for marine equipment and offshore plant business, while also representing vertical integration competition.
- Linde Gas: Global industrial gas major that purchases high-pressure cylinders and tube trailers from manufacturers like NK. Represents both a major customer and a competitor in hydrogen infrastructure deployment.
Regional players
- Headway Technology: Asian marine equipment manufacturer with overlapping product lines in marine safety systems. Comparable Asian regional peer for marine environmental and safety equipment, though with different geographic focus.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
NK social profiles
Digital presenceNK compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance10 records
NK financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NK leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
NK subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
NK funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NK M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about NK
What does NK do?
NK Co., Ltd. manufactures and sells industrial equipment for the marine, environment, and energy sectors, including ballast water treatment systems, marine fire extinguishing systems, high-pressure gas cylinders, jumbo tube trailers, LNG fuel tanks, cryogenic gas storage systems (NK CRYOPac), offshore plant equipment, and hydrogen refueling infrastructure. The company serves shipbuilders, shipping companies, industrial gas firms, semiconductor manufacturers, and government-led clean-energy transportation projects, with project-based contracts and aftermarket reinspection services as additional offerings.
Is NK a public or private company?
NK is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was NK founded?
NK was founded in 1984. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is NK based?
NK is headquartered in Busan, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does NK make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are aftermarket Services and project-based Contracts.
Who are NK's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ecochlor, Optimarin, Alfa Laval, Wärtsilä and DESMI. Broad incumbents are Hyundai Heavy Industries, Chart Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries and Linde Gas. Headway Technology is listed as a regional player.
Does NK have an API?
No public API is recorded for NK.
What industry is NK in?
NK's product category is Marine Equipment Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAIAG, Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting), with a secondary code of IMAHAKAG, Ventilation, Ducting & Air Distribution Equipment. Its NAICS code is 33331 and its SIC code is 3590.